Baitcasting reel

ABSTRACT

A baitcasting reel includes right and left cases constituting a reel body, and a level wind mechanism and a rotatable member disposed between walls of the right and left cases. The walls of the right and left cases and components interconnecting these walls are formed of a single material into an integral one-piece unit. A lid is attached the integral one-piece unit so that one of the cases has a space for accommodating a braking mechanism to act on a line takeup spool. The reel body has such an outer surface that outer wall surfaces of the integral one-piece unit and lid are formed on the same plane.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/739,487filed Aug. 2, 1991, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to baitcasting reels, and more particularly to abaitcasting reel having a level wind mechanism and a spool arrangedbetween walls of right and left cases forming a reel body.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, a relatively large reel designed for use in trolling andhaving no level wind mechanism has part of one of the cases, the othercase, and a thumb rest interconnecting the two cases, all formed into anintegral unit of a single material such as an aluminum alloy.

In the case of a relatively small reel having a level wind mechanism,such as a baitcasting reel with which casting and reeling are repeatedfrequently, it is desirable to employ a strong structure of a singlematerial as noted above to withstand external forces.

If the cases of a reel body are formed entirely of a single material,then it may be necessary to provide an opening through at least one ofthe cases to facilitate insertion of a spool into the reel body. It mayalso be necessary to form a space within the case having the opening.The space may be used to receive various elements. The space may also beprovided to reduce the total weight of the reel body. The space shouldbe larger than the opening.

With the reel body having the above construction, however, the interiorspace takes a bag-like form between the cases though an increasedstrength is secured. When fitting the components in position, thecomponents must be inserted into the space through the spool-receivingopening between the walls of the cases. This renders assembly of thereel time-consuming, and leaves room for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved baitcastingreel having a reel body formed integral of a single material as notedabove to secure excellent strength, and allowing components to bemounted in position relative to the cases with little time and trouble.

The above object is fulfilled, according to the present invention, by abaitcasting reel comprising right and left cases constituting a reelbody, and a level wind mechanism and a spool disposed between walls ofthe right and left cases, wherein at least the walls of the right andleft cases and components interconnecting the walls are formed of asingle material into an integral one-piece unit, the integral one-pieceunit having a lid attached thereto so that one of the cases has a spacefor accommodating a device associated with the spool, the reel bodyhaving such an outer surface that an outer wall surface of the integralunit and an outer wall surface of the lid are formed on the same plane.

This baitcasting reel may be constructed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.Since the parts of the right and left cases opposed to each other areformed integral, an external force applied thereto does not readilyresult in a change in the relative position between the two cases. Oneof the cases is formed by attaching a lid B2 to the integral unit B1.When assembling this reel, components may be placed inside a space Sdefined by this case before attaching the lid B2, through an opening tobe closed by the lid B2.

When the lid B2 is attached, an outer wall surface F2 of the lid forms asmooth continuation to an outer wall surface F1 of the integral unit B1.Consequently, the reel body gives a pleasant feel to the touch when theangler holds the reel in his or her hand in a way to cover the reel, forexample.

The above integral, one-piece formation gives an increased strength tothe reel body, allows the components to be mounted in position relativeto the case with little time and trouble, and realizes an improvedbaitcasting reel pleasant to the touch.

Particularly since, according to the present invention, the case isformed to have an open interior space, the integral one-piece unit mayreadily be manufactured by die casting or a cutting operation.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings show baitcasting reels according to the present invention,in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a reel body,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the reel body,

FIG. 3 is a plan view in cross section of a reel,

FIG. 4 is a side view of a clutch operating system,

FIG. 5 is a side view in vertical section of the reel,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a brake control system,

FIG. 7 is a side view of a brake plate,

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the reel,

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a reel body in another embodiment of theinvention,

FIGS. 10 and 11 are a side view and a sectional view of componentsarranged in a space in a further embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a construction including a magnet typebrake mechanism,

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a left part of a reel in a still furtherembodiment of the invention,

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a right part of the reel shown in FIG.13,

FIG. 15 is a side view of a clutch operating system in the reel shown inFIG. 13,

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a reel body portion shown in FIG. 13,

FIG. 17 is a rear view of the reel shown in FIG. 13,

FIG. 18 is a side view of the reel shown in FIG. 13,

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a grip of the reel shown in FIG. 13,

FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing an arrangement of magnets in thereel shown in FIG. 13,

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a reeling state of the reel shownin FIG. 13, and

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary section of a reel in a still further embodimentof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Baitcasting reels according to the present invention will be describedin detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 through 8 show a baitcasting reel in one embodiment of theinvention. The reel comprises a reel body having a left case 1 and aright case 2. The reel body has a level wind mechanism R mounted in afront position thereof and including a screw shaft 3, a guide rod 4 anda line guide 5. Further, the reel body has a rotatable spool 6 mountedcentrally thereof and a clutch controller 7 mounted in a rear position.The right case 2 supports a handle 8, a drag controller 9, a castcontroller 10 and a brake controller 11.

In this reel, a wall 1S of the left case 1, a wall 2S of the right case2, and a thumb rest 12 and a pair of lower frames 13 interconnecting thetwo walls 1S and 2S are formed into an integral, one-piece unit byaluminum die casting. To form the reel body, a lid B2 acting as part ofthe left case 1 is attached to the integral unit B1, and a lid B3 actingas part of the right case 2 is attached thereto. The reel body has acircular configuration in side view (seen in a direction parallel to anaxis Q of the spool 6). The axis Q of the spool 6 is offset apredetermined amount upward from the center P of the circularconfiguration. The screw shaft 3 is disposed on a horizontal plane Llevel with the center P.

A mounting foot 14 is disposed between the pair of lower frames 13 forattaching the reel to a rod. The foot 14 has a vertical distance H notexceeding 40 mm from the center P, with the reel body having an outsidediameter T within a range of 45 to 70 mm. The reel having suchdimensions facilitates palming at a casting time.

The integral, one-piece unit B1 shown in FIG. 1 is formed by diecasting. A peripheral portion A of the unit B1 is removed to reduceweight.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the lid B2 includes a pair of legs 51.These legs 51 are securely fixed to the wall 1S by screws 52, thereby toclose an interior space S of the case 1 with the lid B2. An annularelement B4 is fitted between the integral, one-piece unit B1 and lid B3.The left lid B2 and integral, one-piece unit B1 are cut so that outerwall surfaces F2 and F1 are substantially flush with each other, forminga substantially continuous exterior surface. Further, a cylindricalouter surface F1 of the integral, one-piece unit B1, a peripheralsurface F4 of the annular element B4 and a cylindrical outer surface F3of the right lid B3 are cut to form a smooth, continuous surfacetogether.

In this reel, one of the legs 51 is covered by the spool 6 to maintainthe fishing line out of contact with the head of screw 52.

The lid B2, integral unit B1 and lid B3 are finished to have the samecolor tone by a treatment with a bright alumite. The annular element B4is finished to have a different tone in order to moderate a slightvariation in tone between the integral, one-piece unit B1 and lid B3.

The handle 8 and drag controller 9 are mounted on a handle shaft 16extending from the right case 2. The handle shaft 16 supports a dragmechanism D and a ratchet wheel 17 mounted on an inward end portionthereof. A spool shaft 18 rotatable with the spool 6 supports a clutchsleeve 19 slidably mounted thereon and a pin 20 fixed to the spool shaft18 to be engageable with the clutch sleeve 19. The clutch sleeve 19 andpin 20 constitute a clutch mechanism C. The clutch sleeve 19 has aninput gear 19A meshed with an output gear 21 of the drag mechanism D,whereby torque from the handle 8 is transmitted to the spool 6 throughthe drag mechanism D and clutch mechanism C.

The spool shaft 18 is supported at opposite ends thereof by bearings 22.The cast controller 10 is screwed to the right case 2 for adjusting africtional force applied to the righthand end of the spool shaft 18. Theratchet wheel 17 has teeth 17A engageable with a pawl 24 pivotable on anaxis 23 to prevent backward turning of the handle 8.

As shown in FIG. 4, the clutch sleeve 19 is engaged with a shifter 26slidably supported on a pair of support shafts 25. A rotary cam 27 isrotatably mounted coaxially with the axis Q of the spool 6. This rotarycam 27 defines a pair of cam surfaces 27A for sliding the shifter 26.The rotary cam 27 has an engaging pin 27B engaged with a link element 28operable through contact with a control pin 7A of the clutch controller7.

Compression springs 29 are mounted on the support shafts 25 to urge theshifter 26 and clutch mechanism C to a clutch engaging position. Atoggle spring 30 acts on the rotary cam 27 to maintain the rotary cam 27in a position to engage or a position to disengage the clutch mechanismC. A further toggle spring 31 acts on a return arm 32 to switch the arm32 to a position in which an end thereof interferes with the ratchetwheel 17 when the clutch mechanism C is set to the disengaged position.When disengaging the clutch mechanism C, the clutch controller 7 isdepressed to place the link element 28 into contact with a guide 33.Then the link element 28 moves describing an arcuate locus while incontact with the guide 33, to rotate the rotary cam 27. As a result, theclutch mechanism C is disengaged through pressure contact with the camsurfaces 27A. When engaging the clutch mechanism C, the handle 8 isturned in a direction to take up the fishing line. This causes a tooth17A of the ratchet wheel 17 to push the return arm 32, whereby therotary cam 27 is returned. Consequently, the shifter 26 moves under theurging force of compression springs 29 to the position to engage theclutch mechanism C.

As shown in FIG. 5, the clutch controller 7 is supported to be slidableonly relative to the wall 2S of the right case 2. The control pin 7Aextends through an arcuate guide bore 2A so that the clutch controller 7describes an arcuate locus about the center P of the reel body in sideview. The clutch controller 7 defines an arcuate perforation 7B toreceive a connecting frame 34.

It is necessary, when assembling the reel, to insert the control pin 7Ainto the guide bore 2A in such a way that the pin 7A is correctly placedabove an engaging portion 28A of the link element 28. To facilitate thisoperation, the link element 28 includes a restricting projection 28Bformed at a lower end thereof to stop insertion of the pin 7A to aposition below the link element 28.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the right case 2 has a magnet type brakemechanism MO mounted therein, whose braking force is adjustable by thebrake controller 11. The brake mechanism MO includes a plate 36 disposedadjacent a side face of the spool 6 and having a plurality of magnets35, a slide element 37 for supporting the plate 36 to be movable towardand away from the spool 6, a cam 39 connected to the brake controller 11through a control shaft 38 for contacting a contact portion 37A of theslide element 37 to determine a position of the slide element 37, and acompression spring 40 for urging the slide element 37 away from thespool 6. A ball type detent mechanism is provided between the brakecontroller 11 and a support 41 secured to the reel body. This detentmechanism includes a compression spring 42, a ball 43 urged by thespring 42, and a plurality of bores 44A formed in a disk 44 rotatablewith the brake controller 11. The ball 43 is selectively engageable withthe bores 44A to maintain the brake controller 11 in a control position.

With this brake mechanism, the closer the magnets 35 are to the sideface of the spool 6, the greater eddy currents are generated at acasting time in the spool 6 formed of an aluminum alloy to produce thegreater braking force.

The right case 2 may be opened by removing screws 45 and lid B3.

As shown in FIG. 3, an output gear 46 is mounted on a left end of thespool shaft 18 while an input gear 47 is mounted on a left end of thescrew shaft 3. The left case 1 houses an intermediate gear 48 meshedwith the output gear 46 and input gear 47. Thus, the level windmechanism R is driven with rotation of the spool 6.

The above embodiment may be modified in various ways. For example, thelid B2 may be shaped as shown in FIG. 9, and attached to the integral,one-piece unit B1 through a screw portion E.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the left case 1 may contain in its interiorspace S a device operable with a declutching operation of the clutchcontroller 7 to break the interlock between the spool 6 and level windmechanism R. This construction includes an idle gear 53 disposed betweenthe output gear 46 of the spool shaft 18 and the intermediate gear 48connected to the level wind mechanism R. The idle gear 53 is supportedby an arm 55 pivotable on an axis 54. The arm 55 is interlocked with acontrol shaft 56 of the clutch controller 7.

FIG. 12 shows another modification which includes a magnet type brakemechanism M mounted in the left case 1 to act on the spool 6. The brakemechanism M includes a turn knob 60 defining a cam 60A, a rod 61extendible and retractable through contact with the cam 60A, and a plate63 attached to the rod 61 and having a plurality of magnets 62.

FIGS. 13 through 21 show a further embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIG. 13, a baitcasting reel includes a brake mechanism M'mounted in the left case 1. As shown in FIG. 14, the handle shaft 16carries an output gear 57 meshed with an input gear 58 mounted on thescrew shaft 3. Thus, the level wind mechanism R is interlocked with ahandle operation. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 18, the left case 1 defines,in an outer side thereof, a circular opening 1A having a centercoinciding with the center P of the reel body. The brake mechanism M' ismounted on a disk-shaped lid B2 for closing the opening 1A.

The brake mechanism M' includes a plurality of magnets 62 arrangedadjacent the metal spool 6, a device for moving these magnets 62 alongthe axis Q of the spool 6, and a turn adjuster 59 attached to the lidB2. The adjuster 59 includes a knob 50B formed on a surface of adisk-shaped member 59A. The adjuster 59 is rotatable around the center Pof the reel body (which corresponds to the center of the lid B2). Thedevice for moving the magnets 62 includes a plate 63 supporting themagnets 62, a pin 65 engaged in a cam groove 59C formed in an insidesurface of the disk-shaped member 59A, and a rod 61 mounted in acylinder 66 for transmitting movement of the pin 65 to the plate 63.

This brake mechanism M' further includes a leaf spring 64 engageablewith teeth formed peripherally of the disk-shaped member 59A. Thus, theleaf spring 64 produces a clicking sound when the adjuster 59 is turned.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, the handle 8 carries a pair of grips 15disposed at different distances to the handle shaft 16. The grip 15closer to the handle shaft 16 has a universal joint J so that an axis ofrotation thereof is oscillatable relative to a support axis 67. Thisconstruction allows the angler to take up the fishing line quickly onlyby turning his or her wrist.

Further, the reel according to the present invention may comprises ahollow left case 1 which does not include any brake mechanism as shownin FIG. 7. This is preferable in that the whole reel can be madelightweight.

The foregoing embodiments may be modified such that a conductor such asa copper plate is attached to the spool. The construction for operatingthe magnets and the arrangement of the magnets are also variable.

Like references are used to identify like components throughout theforegoing embodiments and modifications.

Further, it is in accordance with the present invention to manufacturethe integral, one-piece unit by a cutting operation or to manufacturethe lids by press working. The lids and integral, one-piece unit maydefine fitting joints to be locked to one another against rotation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A baitcasting reel comprising:a reel bodyincluding right and left cases, said right case including a wall, saidleft case including a wall, said reel body further including componentsinterconnecting said walls of said cases, said reel body furtherincluding a lid, said lid having an outer wall surface; a rotatablemember for winding a fishing line; a transmission unit including ahandle, a handle shaft, an output gear, a drag mechanism, and a clutchmechanism for transmitting torque from said handle to said rotatablemember; a level wind mechanism disposed between said walls of saidcases, said level wind mechanism having a screw shaft; and means fortransmitting torque from said handle shaft to said screw shaft of saidlevel wind mechanism; and wherein at least said walls of said cases andsaid components interconnecting said walls are formed of a singlematerial into an integral one-piece unit, said integral one-piece unithaving an outer wall surface, said lid being attached to said integralone-piece unit so that one of said cases has a space for accommodatingat least a portion of said torque transmitting means; and wherein saidouter wall surface of said integral one-piece unit and said outer wallsurface of said lid are substantially flush with each other and define asubstantially continuous exterior surface.
 2. A baitcasting reel asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said integral, one-piece unit is an aluminumdie-cast unit.
 3. A baitcasting reel as claimed in claim 2, wherein saidlid includes a pair of legs fixable to said walls.
 4. A baitcasting reelas claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one of said legs is covered bysaid rotatable member.
 5. A baitcasting reel as claimed in claim 2,wherein one of said cases is hollow.
 6. A baitcasting reel as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the other case contains a magnet type brake mechanismhaving a braking force adjustable by a brake controller.
 7. Abaitcasting reel as claimed in claim 6, wherein said magnet type brakemechanism includes a plate disposed adjacent a slide face of saidrotatable member and having a plurality of magnets, a slide element forsupporting said plate to be movable toward and away from said rotatablemember, a cam connected to said brake controller through a control shaftfor contacting a contact portion of said slide element to determine aposition of said slide element, and a compression spring for urging saidslide element away from said rotatable member.
 8. A baitcasting reel asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said lid is attached to said integral,one-piece unit through a screw portion of said lid.
 9. A baitcastingreel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said left case contains in aninterior space thereof a device operable with a declutching operation ofa clutch controller to break an interlock between said rotatable memberand said level wind mechanism.
 10. A baitcasting reel as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said one of the cases contains a magnet type brakemechanism.
 11. A baitcasting reel as claimed in claim 10, wherein saidbrake mechanism includes a turn knob defining a cam, a rod extendibleand retractable through contact with said cam, and a plate attached tosaid rod and having a plurality of magnets.
 12. A baitcasting reel asclaimed in claim 10, wherein said brake mechanism includes a conductorformed on a side face of said rotatable member, magnets arrangedadjacent said conductor, and a rotatable adjuster for adjusting adistance of said magnets to said conductor.
 13. A baitcasting reel asclaimed in claim 12, wherein said reel body has a substantially circularconfiguration when seen in a direction along an axis of said rotatablemember, said adjuster being rotatable on an axis located substantiallycentrally of said circular configuration, said axis of said rotatablemember being offset from a center of said circular configuration.
 14. Abaitcasting reel as claimed in claim 10, wherein said componentsinterconnecting said walls include a pair of lower frames having amounting foot disposed therebetween, said mounting foot having alowermost portion, said reel body having a substantially circularconfiguration and having an outside diameter of from 45 to 70 mm, saidsubstantially circular configuration having a center (P), and whereinthe distance (H) between said lowermost portion of said mounting footand said center of said substantially circular configuration is nogreater than 40 mm.
 15. A baitcasting reel as claimed in claim 1,wherein said components interconnecting said walls include a pair oflower frames having a mounting foot disposed therebetween, said mountingfoot having a lowermost portion, said reel body having a substantiallycircular configuration and having an outside diameter of from 45 to 70mm, said substantially circular configuration having a center (P), andwherein the distance (H) between said lowermost portion of said mountingfoot and said center of said substantially circular configuration is nogreater than 40 mm.
 16. A baitcasting reel as claimed in claim 1,wherein one of said cases is hollow.
 17. A baitcasting reel as claimedin claim 1, wherein said lid is attached to a side of said rotatablemember.